UPSC Prelims 2022 Question:

Consider the following countries:

1. Armenia
2. Azerbaijan
3. Croatia
4. Romania
5. Uzbekistan
   
   

Which of the above are members of the Organization of Turkic States?

Learn more about the Members of the Organization of Turkic States.

Explanation:

• Organization of Turkic States (then called the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States - Turkic Council) was established in 2009 as an intergovernmental organization, with the overarching aim of promoting comprehensive cooperation among Turkic States. 
• Its four founding member states are Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey. During the 7th Summit held in Baku in October 2019, Uzbekistan joined as a full member. Hungary received observer status at the Organization during its 6th Summit in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyz Republic in September 2018. And in lately in the 8th Summit held in November 2021, Turkmenistan joined as an Observer Member to the Organization. So, points 2 and 5 are correct.
• Armenia, Croatia and Romania are not its members. So, point 1, 3 and 4 are not correct.
  
  

Formation of the Organisation of Turkic States

The Organisation of Turkic States (OTS) is an intergovernmental organization comprising countries with Turkic-speaking populations. Its formation can be traced back to the Turkish summit convened by the then-Turkian President in 1992. This initial gathering paved the way for the establishment of the Council of Turkic States in 2009, with Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan joining Turkey as founding members. Hailed as the "first voluntary alliance of the Turkic states in history," the forum was further elevated to the more formal structure of the Organisation of Turkic States during the Istanbul summit in 2021.

Therefore, option (3) is the correct answer.